SD Bay10/23 and a brain fart - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mr. NiceGuy · 10-25-2015, 05:10 PM

Funny story :P

It's 22", dagnabit!
(however, a 22" halibut is only about 4.5 pounds, so you are doing us all a favor by releasing these small halibut close to the legal limit.)

I was out past Zuniga jetty looking for halibut where the main channel starts to form. Began getting lots of raked bait along the submerged jetty on the way back in. I was drifting/slow peddling different depths from the more shallow shoulder down to the middle of the channel, then back up to the shoulder. Not "50" but it was pretty steady chew marks with each drop. I don't think I get that many sardines with a $10 kayak size scoop to begin with.

Wouldn't the annoying macs you encountered be superior bait on your halibut rigs than sardines from the bait barge?

---

On the subject of lots of water in your boat, are you perchance using a Hobie Outback?

I upgraded to one that is almost new and had terrible amounts of water coming in the front hatch from waves over my bow. The fix was simple --- the two nylon straps that hold the lid of the front hatch in place were too short, preventing the hatch from seating down properly on the rubber gasket. I unfolded the double wrap (puts the nylon over the screw head) and that extra 1" or so of nylon strap was all that was necessary to relieve the tension that was making my new front hatch leak. Problem solved.

This guy sanded his, but if the straps are turned flat rather than folded over, I don't think sanding is necessary. In any case, it addresses this problem on some later model Outbacks. Mine is a 2014. My earlier year Outback did not have this issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkkfHUeUi_g

I also carry an NRS bilge pump that I picked up from Aqua Adventures for about $20. A large cottage cheese container and a Shamwa works well too. It's a pain in the butt peddling around in rough water with extra water sloshing around in the hull.

Hammerhead_77 · 10-25-2015, 06:21 PM

those macs were FRIGGIN HUGE! Forearm size. "50 raked baits" is an exaggeration..but it was plenty. The chovies were getting bit just fine, but I'll probably rig up a floating rapala in chovie pattern on a reverse dropper to see if I can save some time with bait. the hard part is that i needed a #2 light wire hook for the chovie, and that doesn't seem like enough hook for the butts I was after. I think all 4 that came in were on dines. I think the chovie hook was just too small to get them.

38-45' was the right depth by the channel. Out at the end of the point by the kelp it was more like 70.

As for those butts, they were at least 8-10# range... Now I know, if they just barely fit in the landing net...use the gaff! no question on the sand bass, those things were slobs.

There was so much bait in the water Friday that it was just crazy bird action all day long.

10-25-2015, 05:10 PM	#1
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Funny story :P It's 22", dagnabit! (however, a 22" halibut is only about 4.5 pounds, so you are doing us all a favor by releasing these small halibut close to the legal limit.) I was out past Zuniga jetty looking for halibut where the main channel starts to form. Began getting lots of raked bait along the submerged jetty on the way back in. I was drifting/slow peddling different depths from the more shallow shoulder down to the middle of the channel, then back up to the shoulder. Not "50" but it was pretty steady chew marks with each drop. I don't think I get that many sardines with a $10 kayak size scoop to begin with. Wouldn't the annoying macs you encountered be superior bait on your halibut rigs than sardines from the bait barge? --- On the subject of lots of water in your boat, are you perchance using a Hobie Outback? I upgraded to one that is almost new and had terrible amounts of water coming in the front hatch from waves over my bow. The fix was simple --- the two nylon straps that hold the lid of the front hatch in place were too short, preventing the hatch from seating down properly on the rubber gasket. I unfolded the double wrap (puts the nylon over the screw head) and that extra 1" or so of nylon strap was all that was necessary to relieve the tension that was making my new front hatch leak. Problem solved. This guy sanded his, but if the straps are turned flat rather than folded over, I don't think sanding is necessary. In any case, it addresses this problem on some later model Outbacks. Mine is a 2014. My earlier year Outback did not have this issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkkfHUeUi_g I also carry an NRS bilge pump that I picked up from Aqua Adventures for about $20. A large cottage cheese container and a Shamwa works well too. It's a pain in the butt peddling around in rough water with extra water sloshing around in the hull. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 10-25-2015 at 05:41 PM.

10-25-2015, 06:21 PM	#2
Hammerhead_77 Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego - North County Posts: 82	those macs were FRIGGIN HUGE! Forearm size. "50 raked baits" is an exaggeration..but it was plenty. The chovies were getting bit just fine, but I'll probably rig up a floating rapala in chovie pattern on a reverse dropper to see if I can save some time with bait. the hard part is that i needed a #2 light wire hook for the chovie, and that doesn't seem like enough hook for the butts I was after. I think all 4 that came in were on dines. I think the chovie hook was just too small to get them. 38-45' was the right depth by the channel. Out at the end of the point by the kelp it was more like 70. As for those butts, they were at least 8-10# range... Now I know, if they just barely fit in the landing net...use the gaff! no question on the sand bass, those things were slobs. There was so much bait in the water Friday that it was just crazy bird action all day long. Last edited by Hammerhead_77; 10-25-2015 at 06:40 PM.